Emily Cherkin To Speak At La Grange D102 On Building 'Tech-Intentional' Home

LA GRANGE, IL – In partnership with La Grange School District 102, “Hold the Phone” will kick off its 2026 Tech Education Series with a free community presentation by nationally recognized author and speaker Emily Cherkin, MEd, on January 28 at 7:00 p.m. at the Park Auditorium.

Cherkin, known as The Screentime Consultant, will present “Creating a Tech-Intentional Home,” offering practical, research-based guidance to help families navigate technology use in today’s digital world—delivered in her signature judgment-free approach.
Attendees will learn about:

• Current research on children, education, and screen use
• How screentime impacts executive function and behavior
• The role of persuasive design in screen-related conflict
• Strategies for setting healthy, intentional tech boundaries at home

We are excited to bring Emily Cherkin to our community to help families better understand and navigate the digital landscape. This event supports our shared commitment to student well-being, family engagement, and thoughtful use of technology.

Cherkin joins the District 102 community shortly after her January 15 testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation during the hearing “Plugged Out: Examining the Impact of Technology on America’s Youth.”

Hold the Phone is a parent-led community organization founded in 2025 by two Ogden Elementary School parents in La Grange. The organization was created in response to a growing need for connection and support around the challenges families face in navigating technology use and its impact on children.

Hold the Phone’s mission is to foster a collaborative community focused on promoting healthier technology habits and strengthening real-life connections for children, helping them thrive both now and in the future. Through tech-free events for kids, parent discussion groups, book clubs, and educational programming, Hold the Phone engages families across the La Grange community around a shared commitment to intentional and balanced technology use.

Event Details

The event will take place on January 28 at 7:00 p.m. at the Park Jr. High Auditorium, and is free and open to the community.